Privacy Policy
The Therapy Space is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information and stores data securely in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 guidelines. For further details and gain a better understanding on GDPR please refer to the following ICO link; https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
The data collected is used to assist the therapeutic relationship process and all notes are collected and stored in a safe, confidential and ethical manner.
On occasion it may be necessary to share your personal data with a third party if you or someone close to you is at risk of significant harm. This will be discussed with you before any disclosure if there is no risk of harm to the client or others. However, if there is a risk of immediate danger, in some circumstances The Therapy Space has a legal obligation to break confidentiality. This may be in a form of a court order, concerns over child protection or information or knowledge regarding drug trafficking or acts of terrorism, please refer to the additional information below, 'Confidentiality and the Legal Obligations of the Therapist'.
For insurance purposes, your personal abbreviated session notes are held for 3 years after therapy has concluded. Financial records, such as invoices will be held for up to 6 years in accordance with HMRC regulations. Please refer to the following HMRC link for further details; https://www.gov.uk/self-employed-records/how-long-to-keep-your-records for further information.
In the case of lone worker / home visit, a member of The Therapy Space team will have access to your name, home address and telephone number and time of visits in case of any emergency. Please refer to the following HSE link for a clear understanding and further details; http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/lone.htm
As a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapies (BACP) https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/ The Therapy Space is bound by a code of ethics. To ensure The Therapy Space provides good practice it is essential that counsellors attend clinical supervision. This involves using the services of a clinical supervisor to review the counsellors work, client work and professional development. Personal data remains confidential under the terms described above.
Confidentiality
Personal information disclosed during a session will be confidential, however, there are some exceptions:
As outlined in the privacy policy counsellors are required to have regular and on-going clinical supervision to review and monitor the therapist's work, as well as an opportunity to gain new perspectives on the counselling process. Personal data will not be disclosed unless there is cause for concern for you or another person/s.
The Therapy Space has a legal obligation to breach confidentiality if a request via a court order is made, concerns over child protection, knowledge of drug trafficking or acts of terrorism are disclosed.
Session Notes
Session notes are taken after each session for reference and to ensure continuity of sessions. They are stored safely and securely and remain confidential between The Therapy Space and the client. Please refer to, 'Confidentiality and the Legal Obligations of the Therapist' for any exceptions . If you require a copy of your notes, please inform your counsellor in writing and the notes will be provided in line with the General Data Protection Regulation, (GDPR), (2018).
Confidentiality and the Legal Obligations of the Therapist
Confidentiality is at the core of the counselling service. However, there may be times when breaking confidentiality is necessary to fulfil legal and ethical responsibilities. To ensure this is clearly communicated to clients, this document sets out the limits of confidentiality.
A counsellor cannot be legally bound to confidentiality about a crime. Courts have concluded that it is defensible to breach confidence, in good faith, in order to assist the prevention or detection of a serious crime. (BACP, 2019). The following information sets out the legal obligations of a therapist for breaching confidentiality;